How to practice SQL server at home
-
Hello everyone.
I would like to know if it is possible to use SQL Server Management Studio at home so I can learn SQL. I know a little bit about SQL from Access but the syntax is not the same. I would like to learn SSMS, reporting and programming and I have good resources but not a place to actually practice what I learn. I have downloaded SSMS into my computer but then it asks for a server and I do not have a server at home. I do have databases but not a server, therefore, I am not able to use it. Is there a way to create some sort of virtual server where I can upload or create the database and the start practicing what I learn about SQL server? I do not have access to SSMS at work at the moment. I would like to become proficient at it so I can have more job opportunities. any advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks.
-
alexhartley13 (7/1/2016)
Hello everyone.I would like to know if it is possible to use SQL Server Management Studio at home so I can learn SQL. I know a little bit about SQL from Access but the syntax is not the same. I would like to learn SSMS, reporting and programming and I have good resources but not a place to actually practice what I learn. I have downloaded SSMS into my computer but then it asks for a server and I do not have a server at home. I do have databases but not a server, therefore, I am not able to use it. Is there a way to create some sort of virtual server where I can upload or create the database and the start practicing what I learn about SQL server? I do not have access to SSMS at work at the moment. I would like to become proficient at it so I can have more job opportunities. any advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks.
Join Visual Studio Essentials (free) and then you can download SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition for free and install it on you home computer/laptop running Windows 8.1 or newer.
-
Hi Lynn,
Thank you. I downloaded it but I still have the same problem. It is asking me to connect to a server, and I don't have a server. Is there a way I can use it without doing that so I can practice SQL? or perhaps a way to create a virtual server (just brainstorming here) thank you.
-
If you installed SQL Server on your local machine, you can connect to it using SSMS. If you only installed SSMS, then you don't have a SQL Server to connect to.
Take a look at your services and see if you have the SQL Server service running. If it isn't there, you need to installed SQL Server. If it's there and not running, you'll need to start it. Then, you should be able to connect to it using SSMS. From there, have fun.
-
I think that was it. I downloaded SSMS from here but when I try to run it, while loading, it gives me the message "The Application Cannot Start" and it closes the application. Any suggestion?
-
Did you run the SQL Server install? Did you run the SSMS install?
Do you have a service called MSSQL running?
-
I did install the SSMS but I didn't install the SQL Server. I tried to do it but it is asking me for the folder for the installation. do you know which one it is? I tried several and it is telling be it is an invalid folder. I downloaded it from the Microsoft website so I don't have a CD. Here is an image:
-
The install usually asks you for the folder for the source ISO, not the installed product.
-
You do have to install SQL Server itself in order to get anything to work on your box. Since you're learning SQL Server, I recommend you install everything (SSRS, SSAS, SSIS, etc.) so that you don't have to go back and install stuff later on as you get past the basics.
The link you posted is only for client tools. So go back to Lynn's suggestion to get the full developer version of SQL Server. Then install SQL Server Database Engine (minimum, or everything). Then you can add any AdventureWorks or other MS sample databases to SSMS and have fun learning.
-
chulo13 (7/1/2016)
Hello everyone.I would like to know if it is possible to use SQL Server Management Studio at home so I can learn SQL. I know a little bit about SQL from Access but the syntax is not the same. I would like to learn SSMS, reporting and programming and I have good resources but not a place to actually practice what I learn. I have downloaded SSMS into my computer but then it asks for a server and I do not have a server at home. I do have databases but not a server, therefore, I am not able to use it. Is there a way to create some sort of virtual server where I can upload or create the database and the start practicing what I learn about SQL server? I do not have access to SSMS at work at the moment. I would like to become proficient at it so I can have more job opportunities. any advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks.
As others have mentioned, get the full SqlServer 2016 Developer Edition from Microsoft.
While you're at it, you may also want to download and install Visual Studio Community, which is also free although you need to register it with Microsoft. The other benefit of registration is you get access to Dev Essentials, part of which is Microsoft Virtual Academy. MVA has free video classes at all levels for SQL Server.
Take it from someone who's been there, Sql Server is not simply Access on steroids - it's an entirely different beast and T-SQL has significant differences from JetSQL. Pardon the Yoda reference, but you will need to "unlearn what you have learned" in some ways. But, persist, don't give up and just have fun. First stop: Learn to properly backup/restore a database. Then you can play to your heart's content because you can blow away your databases and start over if you screw things up.
Enjoy!
____________
Just my $0.02 from over here in the cheap seats of the peanut gallery - please adjust for inflation and/or your local currency.
Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply